The Exodus can be viewed as the defining moment in Israel's history, for it was then that God called Israel out of slavery in Egypt and to a life of freedom as His people. Exodus: Called to Freedom looks through the lens of Christ and the Church to show that, more than just seeking to free His people from the domination of Pharaoh, God desired to free His people from the far more sinister tyranny of sin, so they could live the authentic freedom that belongs to children of God. Because of this, the Exodus story is not just Israel's story, it is our story as well; it tells us who God is and what He calls us to be.

It is more important than ever to gather in prayer on Tuesday, January 22, for a Holy Hour here at St. Helena from 6:30-7:30PM, which will be followed by the Holy Mass at 7:30PM while we continue to fight for life on the 46th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. This year the NY Legislature has promised to sign into law the Reproductive Health Act on this day, January 22nd, making late-term abortion legal in NY, among many other devastating provisions. During the Holy Hour, we will pray the Rosary for Life. Please join us.

SPECIAL COMING EVENTS

Prayer Vigil For Life: It is more important than ever to gather in prayer on
Tuesday, January 22, for a Holy Hour from
6:30-7:30PM followed by a
Mass For Life at
7:30PM here at St. Helena while we continue to fight for life on the 46th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. This year the NY Legislature has promised to sign into law the Reproductive Health Act on this day, January 22nd
, making late-term abortion legal in NY, among many other devastating provisions. During the Holy Hour, we will pray the Rosary for Life. Please join us.

Bilingual Gracias Choir Easter Cantata on
Friday, March 22 at
7:30PM in the church.

PARISH AND LOCAL News

In Wunderlich v. Germany, the European Court of Human Rights in a Chamber Judgment upheld Germany's three-week removal of four children from their parents' home after the parents insisted on homeschooling them and refused to send them to state schools. The court held that there was no violation of Art. 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (Right to Respect for Private and Family Life). the Court said in part: The Court finds that the enforcement of compulsory school attendance, to prevent social isolation of the applicants’ children and ensure their integration into society, was a relevant reason for justifying the partial withdrawal of parental authority. It further finds that the domestic authorities reasonably assumed – based on the information available to them – that children were endangered by the applicants by not sending them to school and keeping them in a “symbiotic” family system.

One of the most striking things Pope Francis has witnessed to our world is the hope that one individual can bring to the lives of so many. That is why I heartily invite you and your parishioners to join us at New York Encounter (www.newyorkencounter.org). This 3-day annual cultural event will take place February 15-17 at the Metropolitan Pavilion at 215 West 18th Street. This year's Encounter entitled Something to Start From will offer, FREE of charge, unique expressions of the heart through witnesses, public discussions, exhibits, and live performances. Since 2009, when New York Encounter was founded by members of the Catholic lay movement Communion and Liberation, it has fostered dialogue between faith and the public sphere and has provided a vibrant meeting point to thousands of people of different beliefs, traditions and cultures striving for reciprocal understanding, broadened perspectives and the possibility for true friendship. We would like to extend this invitation to all of your parishioners and we would be grateful if you could include the announcement below in your parish bulletin. If you would like to receive more information, or free promotional material, please call (646) 757-4380.

Khail Black’s game-high 14 points brought him to 105 season points, as the Varsity Horsemen easily downed St. Benedict 61-36 during Wednesday’s home game. Sean DuBose was the only Horseman to score in all quarters and had a game-high 23 points, which was one more than the total points scored by the St. Benedict JV Team, as the Horsemen triumphed 44-22 in their game. The Varsity Horsemen came out of the gate quickly, sinking four 3’s in the first quarter, and they led 32-9 at the half. Black, himself, put is four 3’s, and William Manning put in a game-high six 2’s and a free-throw for 13 points. Manning has 118 season points. Both Jose Velez and Eric Codero had two threes and a two for 8 points. Antonio Martinez had a three and a two in the second quarter for 5 points, and Kyle Austin had a pair of 2’s in the last quarter for 4 points. Jahli Ward had a three early in the first quarter, and Justin Hernandez had a two in the first, Isiah LaCasse had a two in the last quarter, and Daniel Torres hit two free throws in the second quarter to round out the Horsemen scoring. The Horsemen were 3 for 6 from the line, while St. Benedict was 5 for 12. The next home varsity game is Monday at 7PM against St. Frances de Chantal. The JV Horsemen led only by two, 9-7, at the quarter but kept steadily increasing their lead and were 23-14 at the half. Larry German was also in double digits and put in a three and four 2’s for 11 points. Maniase Manigar and Jaylen Faye Velan each had a two in two different quarters, and Richie Martinez rounded out the team scoring with a two in the final quarter. One St. Benedict player also scored in double digits with 12. The JV Horsemen were 1 for 2 from the line, while St. Benedict was 0 for 2. Congratulations to the Horsemen.

CAMP VERITAS is a week-long play and pray pilgrimage and summer camp for teens entering grades 7-12. There are five locations. The cost is $400 and limited scholarships are availabnle. Registration is now open. Go to: www.campveritas.org. FEARLESS is a weekend retreat for teens in grades 8-12. The cost is $45. The next retreat is March 29-31 at Holy Cross Parish, 1846 Randall Avenue. To register, call 845-663-1689.

There is Still Time to Give to St. Helena If giving to charity is still on your agenda for 2018, there's still a window of time for you to make that year-end donation. Please note that new tax rules have made it more difficult to get a deduction for your donations. That is because the standard deduction is so much higher — about $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples who file jointly. And your donations (plus any other deductions such as mortgage interest, etc.) must push you over the standard deduction in order for you to itemize on your tax return. When giving to charity, make sure that the organization is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization. Both St. Helena School and Parish are such organizations. If you plan to send your donation via check in the mail, send it early enough so that it is postmarked on or before Dec. 31. Also, note that the mailbox rule only applies to U.S. mail and not to other delivery methods such as FedEx. If you choose to give physical assets, such as artwork, the delivery and transfer of the title or deed must happen before Dec. 31. If you choose to donate stock, that transaction is only recognized as completed once the transfer request has been submitted by your financial advisor or firm. Keep in mind that if you are over age 70½, you can make a donation directly from an individual retirement account to a charity. If your gift exceeds $250, you need to get a receipt. A canceled check or a brokerage certificate showing a transfer of shares won't count. Also note that charities aren't required by law to give you a receipt, so you have to ask them for one. Contact the parish office, and we will be glad to send you one. Furthermore, you must have that receipt in hand by the time you file your taxes in April. If you file for an extension, you will need to have documentation of your gift by the time you file in October. Also, It’s not too late to set up what's known as a donor-advised fund for your charitable gifts this year. The advantage of a donor-advised fund is you can get the deduction for making the gift this year, but decide later which charities to which you want to donate the money. Most major brokerage firms can set one up for you, but they typically have a minimum requirement.

Today's Readings

PARISH NOTICES

Christmas Vigil Mass 2018

Nine boys and girls were commissioned as altar servers during the 10:30AM Mass on December 23. They each received unique new albs, that were handmade by a St. Helena parishioner, as well as a surplice and a cross.

The USS Helena

Our Annual Thanksgiving Multicultural Mass

THE STATUE OF MARY, ROSA MYSTICA

THE PILGRIM STATUE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Our Lady of the Cloud, which is an Ecuadorian Celebration of Our Blessed Mother, Visited St. Helena in September.

Blessing of the animals for St. Francis of Assisi TWO OF OUR PARISH RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS

The drawing for the Parish Raffle took place on Sunday, September 16, right after the 5PM Mass. Third prize, the 26-inch Hyper Mountain Bike went to Janell Alvarez and fourth prize, a toaster oven went to Celeni Sierra. The eleven other prize winners are being contacted. Thank you to everyone who participated in and donated to the raffle. We hope to have many more prizes next year.

FIRST ST. HELENA MARDI GRAS MASQUERADE BALL

Despite the pouring rain, 120 people attended the Masquerade Ball, which took place Saturday evening in the gymnasium. The Ball was organized by the St. Helena ABC Youth group and featured a Bomba Dance Troop and a live Jazz Band. There was lots of good New-Orleans style food, and a fun time was had by all.

Ecuadorian Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Youth Group collected and brought toys for the children at Jacobi Hospital on January 6, the traditional feast of the Three Kings.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

We are proud to report that The Church of St. Helena received this Community Service Award at the Fourth Annual Community Board Nine Recognition Dinner on Friday, September 8, which was held at the Bronx YMCA.

WE NEED YOUR LABELS FOR EDUCATION

The Labels for Education program is coming to a close. Only UPC submissions with the Labels for Education logo will be accepted and redeemed for points. All submissions must be postmarked no later than January 2, 2018, in order to be deposited into our schools’ bank account. We currently have 1,447 points. Look for the Labels for Education logo on these products: Campbells, Pace, Pepperidge Farm, SpaghettiOs, Swanson, and V8. Labels can either be brought to the rectory or placed in the collection basket.

Monday:7:00 PMSpanishEspañolESCharismatic Mass every FIRST MONDAY of the month.

Wednesday:7:00 PMSpanishEspañolES

HOLY DAY & SACRAMENT SCHEDULE

HOLY DAY MASSES: Vigil: 7:00 PM (Spanish)Holy Day: 6:50 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 7:30 PMSTATIONS OF THE CROSS: Every Friday during Lent: following the 12:15 PM Mass, 7:00 PM (Spanish), 8:00 PM (English)CONFESSION TIMES: Every Saturday from 4 PM to 5:30 PM , or by appointment in the rectory.ROSARY: Every Wednesday, following the 12:15PM Mass. Legion of Mary Rosary in Spanish every Friday at 7:00PM in the Rectory Meeting Room.BAPTISMS: English: Every Sunday after 1:30 PM Mass Español: 2 y 4 Sábados en 2:30 PMBAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS: Usually meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 PM in the Church. Register for the class at the rectory. You MUST bring BOTH a copy of the child's birth certificate as well as a copy of the Confirmation certificate of the godparents or a copy of the godparent's Catholic marriage certificate, if a godparent is married. A lletter of suitability from the godparent's Catholic pastor will also be accepted.SICK AND DECEASED members of the parish are remembered in the Offertory Prayers. If you know of any current or former parishioners who are seriously ill or have passed, or you know of any sick parishioners who need Holy Communion brought to them, please contact the rectory at 718-892-3232 and let us know about their condition.Announced and Unannounced Masses may be arranged at the rectory Mon.-Fri. from 8:30AM - 4:30PM.RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES Every Wednesday from September - June from 3:45 - 5PM, gathering in the Church.RCIA CLASSES: English classes meet every Sunday from 3-4PM or on Monday from 7-8PM in the Rectory Meeting Room from September - April.Spanish classes meet every Sunday from 10-11:15AM in the cafeteria from September - June.BIBLE STUDY CLASSES:English Bible Study Classes meet every Tuesday at either 1PM or 7:30PM and every Sunday at 11:30AM in the Green Building.Spansh Bible Study Classes meet every Tuesday at 7:30PM in the cafeteria.BOY SCOUTS meet every Wednesday from 6:30-8:00PM in the cafeteria. CUB SCOUTS meet every Wednesday at 6PM.

Transportation: Take #6 Train to either Parkchester or Castle Hill or take the following buses: Bx22, Bx39, Bx4, Bx4A, or Q44.Parish E-mail: sthelenarc@yahoo.com

A few decades of respectful Catholic-Jewish dialogue pale in comparison to "19 centuries of Christian anti-Judaism," Pope Francis said, so Catholics must continue to ask forgiveness and...

ST. HELENA (Feast: August 18)

Born in Bithynia, Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), circa 248, St. Helena was married to Roman Emperor Constantius and had a son who would become Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to become a Christian. St. Helena, who converted as well, oversaw the construction of churches on Holy Land sites. She would later be credited with discovering the cross upon which Jesus Christ is believed to have been crucified. St. Helena died circa 328 in Nicomedia (present-day Turkey). Shown below, the door to the St. Helena Chapel in Bethlehem.